Less Than Jake: Borders and BoundariesBorders and Boundaries (2000)Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: JukeboxBullyJukeboxBully(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on June 26th 2001Well, Less Than Jake has been a personal favorite of mine since they started out. With great albums like Pezcore, and classics like Losing Streak, you expect some fun happy music type shiznit from them. I guess they've always been known a bit more for their live shows then their own musical talent.

Well, Less Than Jake has been a personal favorite of mine since they started out. With great albums like Pezcore, and classics like Losing Streak, you expect some fun happy music type shiznit from them. I guess they've always been known a bit more for their live shows then their own musical talent, but this has changed. In about, '98, i guess, they came out with "Hello Rockview" something new from the Gainesville guys, (how "critic" do I sound?!?!) This album was far different from those previous, there was more thought in the lyrics, which showed on songs like "History of a Boring Town", and "Al's War". On this album, Less Than Jake had less a bit less ska, and a bit more power on the guitar. They showed their musical talent more than ever, I would have to say. I've never heard such great lyrics from them, although they still have their jokes in songs like Pete Jacksons Getting Married, and Mr. Chevy Celebrity, an especially funny track, making fun of yet another local guy whose fucked up in life, they've also had very meaningful and thoughtful songs. They've showed there maturity, with still being the Less Than Jakers they are.

Overall, to summarize this cd for you, Its a great album, but not the best. It has less ska, and its a bit more pop punk, you can hear that they've produced this record to a streak free finish...

But anyways, its a clean sounding album production wise, amazing lyrics, if your looking for happy music to play in the car, buy this baby. If you prefer the sounds of harder bands, then this one might not be for you. But if you in general like to hear a bunch of funny guys get together and play instruments well, and sing great lyrics, then just buy it, no it's not the best of Less Than Jakes cd's, and no, it doens't really fit to my musical stylings, but Less Than Jake never has, and maybe thats what is so great about them. Always take the time to listen to something new, even if it doesn't fit-or else you may miss out on something really great. So all in all, im giving this a nine, nine, because it was a great effort by the guys, why is it missing one? I wanted more ska, and I wanted more punk, but I don't really care, because the lyrics made up for it. Sometimes, they can just really make you happy when you're not; that's a great thing about ltj. So pick up the CD.

not too bad, songs like magnetic north,kehoe, gainesville rock city, and look what happened are some that stand out. i was dissapointed that there was no ska. when u hear the word ska, u think of less than jake but this one just doesnt do it for me.the new one should be good with plastic cup polotics

Anonymous (April 18, 2002)

I am beginning to lose faith in Less Than Jake. Losing Streak and Hello Rockview were great albums, and then Borders and Boundaries - what a dissapointment. I don't know what LTJ were trying to do on Borders and Boundaries, but it stinks. It is way, way overproduced, and it isn't the classic LTJ punk/ska style, it's more like shiny rock/pop with some sub-par horn parts and some other really shitty quirks thrown in like a whistle and a xylophone. And then after this mediocre album they re-release Goodbye Blue and White??? Come on guys, put in a LITTLE effort here. Not only was this album already released, it isn't any good; all those b-sides didn't make it onto any albums for good reason - and the weak, weak cover songs..... YUCK. I hope that Fat Mike sets these guys back on track now that they've singed with him, but I guess we'll just wait and see.....

Anonymous (April 3, 2002)

i dunno, losing streak is the only
one i really like

the lyrics are all the same and the same
fucking drums too.

bah!

Anonymous (March 1, 2002)

Man, this CD rocks! It's my only LTJ one, so I can't compare it to their other stuff, but I do know that this one is awesome! A great ska/punk/pop band. Major highlights from this CD are "Look What Happened" and "Is This Thing On?", but the whole CD is amazing.

Less Than Jake is far and away my favorite band making music today, and no matter what they put out I will listen attentively. With that being said, as much as I love LTJ I have to admit that this is their weakest album in my opinion. It's still great, and I listen to it frequently, it just doesn't have the punch that the other albums have. I think the biggest problem lies in the production. It's a little too over produced. The thing I love most about Less Than Jake is the raw energy of their music. Chris and Roger's dual vocals, the rough guitars, the punch of the horns...With this album (as well as to a lesser extent on Rockview) Chris' vocals are layered, as opposed to the standard Chris/Roger haromonies. There are also several instances of the guitar being layered so that two guitar parts can be heard simultaneously. This may be me being picky, but I prefer an album to sound exactly like what the band would sound like live, not songs that have a bunch of studio affects worked into them. I also wasn't happy with the volume or frequency of Roger's vocals. I'm a big fan of his voice so I was disappointed with the infrequency of it. Lastly, these songs are a little too mellow and straight ahead "rock." Not the powerful, fast, energetic style that is the trademark of most Less Than Jake albums. All that being said, I still do enjoy Borders and Boundaries, and think it is a nice addition to the LTJ catalog. I appreciate their growth and willingness to experiment as a band. However, I hope this record remains a one time diversion from their usual sound and look forward to future records that are reminiscent of older Less Than Jake.

Anonymous (June 29, 2001)

damn good is right. haven't stopped listening to it since christmas.- fathead

Anonymous (June 29, 2001)

it's not possible for ltj to put out a bad record. this one may not have their trademark ska on it, but it's still damn good.

I've recieved this cd as a promo copy a month before it came out (Thnx Nantes and Fat wreck Eu.) and i was surprised.
Somehow when ever i listen to it, i skip first three songs and start listening from there...Somehow they have changed and i don't know why, but i don't find LTJ as entertaining as lets say Mustard plug or Mad caddies, they became really tipical rock/ska/punk act.